Bearing lubricator

ABSTRACT

Lubricating equipment for supplying grease to a tapered roller bearing assembly, such an assembly comprising the inner race, the bearings and the cage. The equipment includes a horizontal support surface to engage the cage, an annular groove forming a ring of grease which is caused to rise upwardly into the bearings and a cavity inboard of the groove, the wall of which engages the inner race and positions the assembly so that the bearings are presented to the groove so that the ring of grease rises up inbetween and around the bearings.

mted States atent 91 [111 3,724,%

Freda 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [541 BEARING LUBRICATOR 2,707,528 5 1955 Mulvanityetal ..1s4 1 D 2,839,160 6/1958 Wright [76] Inventor g' t fi fa g igirgggg Ave 3,048,236 8/1962 Larke etal. ..l84/1D [22] Filed: July 22,1971 Primary Examiner-Manuel A. Antonakas [211 App; N 165,293Attorney-Frederick J. Olsson Related U.S. Application Data ABSTRACT [63]Continuation of Ser. No. 798,354, Feb. 11, 1969, Lubricating equipmentfor supplying grease to a abandoned. tapered roller bearing assembly,such an assembly comprising the inner race, the bearings and the cage.[52] U.S. Cl. .,.....184/l D, 184/105 R The equipment includes ahorizontal support surface [51] llit- Cl. ..Fl6ll 7/14, F161! 11/10 toengage the cage, an annular groove forming a ring Field of Search 1 D, Rgrease is caused to rise upwardly into the bearings and a cavity inboardof the groove, the wall References Cited of which engages the inner raceand positions the as- UNITED STATES PATENTS sembly so that the bearingsare presented to the groove so that the ring of grease [1865 upinbetween 2,891,634 6/1959 Becker ..184/l D and around the bearings.2,886,132 5/1959 Gittinger et al.... ..184/1 D 3,365,024 1/1968 Freda..184/l D 14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures X I /IL PATENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET1 OF 4 PATENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET 2 [1F 4 PATENTED APR 3 1975 I SHEET 3[1F 4 PATENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET 0F 4 BEARING LUBRICATOR This applicationis a continuation of my application Ser. No. 798,354 filed Feb. ll, 1969and entitled Improved Bearing Lubricator and now abandoned.

This invention relates to lubrication equipment and in particularrelates to lubricating equipment especially adapted to lubricate taperedroller bearings.

The invention contemplates equipment which supports an assemblycomprising the inner race, tapered bearings and the cage in a positionso that grease can be quickly and positively injected between and aroundthe bearings.

One object of the invention is to provide equipment especiallyconstructed to mount an assembly of the kind in question so as topresent the bottom of the bearings to an annular groove forming a ringof grease which is caused to rise up in-between and around the bearings.

Another object of the invention is to provide equipment especiallyconstructed to mount an assembly of the kind in question so as topresent the bottom of the bearings to an annular groove supplying a ringof grease which is caused to rise up in-between and around the bearings,the outer wall of the cage extending partially across said groove andoperating to direct the grease into the bearings.

Another object of the invention is to provide lubricating equipmentalternatively adaptable to lubricate assemblies of different sizes, theequipment being constructed to support an assembly of one size forlubrication or alternatively to mount an insert which in turn willsupport an assembly of larger or smaller size for lubrication.

Another object of the invention is to provide lubricating equipmentwhich can be custom fitted to the particular kind, size or number ofbearings normally processed, the equipment comprising a plurality ofinserts which are mounted on a common frame and respectively adapted tosupport different size assemblies either in linear side-by-siderelationship or plained below in connection with the following drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of lubricating equipmentconstructed in accordance with the invention and particularly adaptedfor lubricating large tapered roller bearing assemblies;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the equipment of FIG. I where thebearing assembly is in place for the greasing operation;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line 33 of FIG.2;

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary view of certain portions of FIG. 3; 7

FIG. 4 is a view partially taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of thelubricating equipment of FIG. I especially adapted for lubricating abearing assembly of smaller size than the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 5 withthe bearing assembly in position for the greasing operation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of lubricating equipment especially adaptedfor lubricating smaller size bearing assemblies;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along the lines 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG.' 9 is a view taken along the lines 9--9 of FIG. 8.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the frame 1 has a top area 2 to support the taperedroller bearing assembly 3 for the greasing operation. As indicated inFIG. 2 the bearing is held in position by the hold-down means 4. Thelubricating grease enters the frame 1 through the fitting 5 from whenceit goes up into the bearing assembly.

The tapered roller bearing assembly as used herein means an assemblyincluding the inner raceway, the bearings and the cage. Referring to thebearing assembly 3, the inner raceway is indicated at 6, the bearings at10 and the cage at 11.

Referring to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the frame 1 has an annularcavity 12 which is connected with the fitting 5 via the passage 13, thecavity 12 forms a grease manifold.

The top area 2 has an annular groove 14 formed thereon. The frame has aplurality of vertically extending passages 15 connected between themanifold 12 and groove 14. The passages 15 conduct grease from themanifold to the groove.

The top area 2 also includes a flat annular surface 16 which is disposedoutwardly of the groove 14. The support surface 16 engages the cage 11to support the assembly for lubrication.

Inboard of the groove 14 is a cavity 20 which accepts the race 6 of thebearing. The wall 21 of the cavity engages the outer wall 22 of the race6 to position the assembly laterally and present the bearings 10 to thegroove 14 whereby to receive grease therefrom.

Grease from the fitting 5 is under pressure and fills up the manifold 12and moves up through the passages 15 to till the groove 14. As greasecontinues to flow it tends to form an annular ring which moves upwardlyinto and between the bearings 10.

It will be observed that the outer wall 22 of the inner race extendspartially across the groove 14 and operates to direct grease from thegroove upwardly into the hearing.

The hold-down mechanism 4 comprises a plate 23 which fastened to thethreaded shank 24 threadingly engaged with the arm 25 rotatably mountedon the post 26. By turning the knob 27 the plate 23 can be moved up anddown.

With reference to FIG. 3 it will be observed that the diameter of theplate 23 is made such that the plate makes a close fit with the cage 11and engages the top of the race 6. The plate fixedly holds the assemblyand spans the space between the cage and the race to form a grease seal.In using equipment having a grease seal as described, the time when thebearing is fully lubricated can be determined by that grease will beginto ooze outwardly from the topmost part of each bearing.

Further commenting on the structure of FIG. 3 it will be seen that theframe comprises the base 30, the disc 31. Between the base 30 and thedisc 31 is the seal 32 which closes off the manifold 12. The seal isheld in place by the screws 33 and the base 30 and disc 31 are held bythe screws 34.

One of the features of the invention is that the equipment is adaptablefor various size bearings through the use of inserts. For example, theframe of FIG. 3 can be provided with an insert which is mounted on thetop disc and is adapted to receive a smaller size bearing assembly. Thiskind of construction is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 where the disc 31(or insert) mounts another insert 35 which supports the bearing assembly26. The assembly is held in position by the hold-down mechanism 4.

The disc 31 has an annular shoulder which receives the annular lip 41 onthe insert 35. The engagement positions the insert laterally.

The bottom of the insert 35 has a groove 42 which forms a greasemanifold. The manifold 42 is in communication with the passages 15 so asto receive grease therefrom.

The insert 35 has a support surface 43. On the support surface 43 isformed an annular groove 44. The insert has a plurality of verticallyextending passages 45 which are connected between the manifold 42 andthe groove 44. The passages 45 conduct grease from the manifold 42 tothe groove 44.

Outboard of the groove 44 is a support surface 46 on which rests thecage 50 of the assembly 36.

Inwardly of the groove 44 is a cavity 51 which accepts the race 52 ofthe bearing assembly. The wall 53 of the cavity engages the outer wall54 of the race and positions the assembly laterally so as to present thebearings 53 to the groove 44.

The base 30 and the disc 31 are held together in a manner previouslydescribed and the insert 35 is locked to the disc 31 by the screws 55.

With the arrangement of FIG. 6 it is preferred to use spring meansbetween the disc 31 and the insert 35 in order to push the insert awayfrom the disc when the screws 55 are released otherwise the grease inthe manifold 42 exerts a restraining force on the insert and it isextremely difficult to remove the same.

While the spring means can take a variety of forms it is preferable touse four equally spaced springs 56 which are compressed in the cavities57.

For the lubrication of smaller sized bearings and particularly those ofdifferent diameters, the invention contemplates an arrangement whereinthe frame has multiple inserts, each insert being adapted to support adifferent size bearing.

Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the frame 60 has aplurality of inserts 61, 62, 63, 64, and 66. All of the inserts except63 have the same construction as described in connection with the insert35. For example, with reference to FIG. 9 the insert 66 has a greasemanifold 70, a top area 71 having an annular groove 72, a plurality ofvertically extending passages 73 connecting the manifold with the groove72 and a cavity 74 adapted to receive the inner race of a bearingassembly and position the same laterally.

In connection with the groove 72 it will be observed that the groove isformed in the top area in a manner such that there is an annular wall75. This wall is disposed between the groove and the inner race of abearing assembly and operates to direct grease upwardly to the bearingssimilarly as the race walls 22 and 54 heretofore described.

The insert shown in FIG. 8 is of a special configuration for acceptingthe assembly which comprises a cage 81 and ball bearings 82. The insertdesignated at 83 has a grease manifold 84 and passages 85 whichcommunicate with the annular groove 86. The passages 85 conduct greasefrom the manifold into the groove 86 from whence the grease expandsupwardly on and between the roller bearings 82. The manifold 84 is fedfrom the fitting 90 which is in communication of the manifold viapassage 91. The plate 92 holds down the assembly 80.

In connection with the arrangement in FIG. 7, the invention contemplatesthat inserts which are not in use be protected from dust and dirt andthe like. This protection takes the form of a cover 93 which fits overthe insert and is held against lateral movement by the fact that theinsert extends slightly upwardly from the frame (see FIG. 9).

It is to be noted that with the assembly of FIG. 7 each of the insertshas its own independent grease fitting and connecting passageways to themanifold similar to the fitting 90 and passageway 91.

In the manufacturing of large bearing assemblies, it is not necessarythat the wide end of the cage be provided with a machined or finishedsurface. Therefore, depending upon the size and method of manufacturing,the wide edge may have rough spots which will not permit the edge of thecage to lie flat against the support surface. With such irregularitiesthe grease can squeeze out of the open space between the cage andsupport surface. To eliminate this the invention contemplates that thesupport surface be comprised of a yieldable material which willaccomodate the irregularities. For example, in FIG. 311 I have shown thesupport surface to be formed of yieldable material which is preferablyof silicon or some other grease resisting, yieldable material.

In connection with large assemblies, I have found that where themanifold has a single grease fitting, the grease, in rising upwardlythrough the bearings, tends to favor the side adjacent the fitting. Toovercome this, the invention contemplates that the manifold be providedwith more than one grease fitting and that the fittings be commonlyconnected to the grease source. For example, this is done by hoseconnections to a pair of diametrically opposed fittings and with thecentral section of the hose connected back to the grease source.Alternatively, passages can be formed in the disc to interconnect thefittings and to make a connection with the grease source.

I claim:

1. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to taperedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage, the equipment comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior to said frame;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly and supportthe assembly for lubrication or alternatively to engage and support aninsert for holding a different size assembly;

a cavity inboard of said groove for use in accepting the inner race ofan assembly mounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavityengaging the outerwall of the inner race of such an assembly whereby toposition the assembly laterally and present the bearings of the assemblyto said groove whereby to receive grease therefrom;

mechanism on said frame to fixedly hold an assembly mounted on saidsupport surface or on said insert; and

means on said frame for use in engaging an insert mounted on saidsupport surface to position the same laterally.

2. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sizedtapered roller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the innerrace, the bearings and the cage comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly of given sizeand support the assembly for lubrication or alternatively to support aninsert for holding an assembly of different size;

a cavity inboard of said groove to accept the inner race of said givensize assembly mounted on the support surface whereby to position theassembly laterally to present its bearings to said groove whereby toreceive grease therefrom;

an insert mounted on saidsupport surface;

screw means securing said insert to said frame member;

spring means connected between said insert and said frame and operativewhen said screw means are loosened to push the insert away from saidframe member;

a top area on said insert;

means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said annular groove to receive greasetherefrom;

an annular groove formed in insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with the insertgroove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the groove;

a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to and outboard ofinsert groove to engage the outer cage of a different size assembly; and

a cavity inboard of said insert groove to accept'the inner race of saiddifferent size assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its bearings to said grooveto receive grease therefrom.

3. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to taperedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage, the equipment comprising:

a frame member;

a plurality of insert cavities formed on the top of the frame;

a plurality of grease fittings on said frame member;

a plurality of passageways respectively connecting said fittings andsaid cavities;

a plurality of bearing inserts respectively disposed in said cavities,the inserts being constructed respectively to support different sizeassemblies;

for each insert, means for securing the same in its cavity and eachinsert being constructed as follows:

a top area;

means in the insert below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from its cavity;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard said groove to engage the cage of an assembly and support theassembly for lubrication;

a cavity inboard of said groove to accept the inner race of an assemblymounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavity engaging theouter wall of the inner race to position the assembly laterally topresent said bearings to said groove to receive grease therefrom; and

mechanism on said frame to fixedly hold an assembly being lubricated.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said insertcavities are disposed in a circular fashion in said frame and saidmechanism is located centrally of the cavities and constructed forselective engagement with assemblies disposed in the cavities.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said cavities arearranged in a circular fashion and said mechanism comprises a postlocated centrally of the cavities and connected to and extendingupwardly to said frame, an ann rotatably mounted on the post and avertically moveable plate on the arm con structed to engage an assemblymounted on an insert and hold the assembly during the lubricatingoperation.

6. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to a taperedroller bearing assembly, the assembly including the inner race, thebearings and the cage, the equipment comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly and supportthe assembly for lubrication;

a cavity inboard of said groove to accept the inner race of an assembly,mounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavity engaging theouter wall of the inner race to position the assembly laterally andpresent said bearings to said groove whereby to receive greasetherefrom, said assembly being positioned laterally so that the outerwall of the inner race extends partially across said groove and isoperative to direct grease from the groove upwardly into the bearings;and

mechanism on said frame to fixedly hold as assembly being lubricated.

7. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sizedroller assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race, thebearings and the cage comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

support means formed on said top area for use in mounting inserts ofdifferent sizes for respectively holding bearing assemblies of differentsizes;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame;

grease supply groove formed in said top area;

passageway means connected to said supply groove means and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove means;

a plurality of inserts alternatively mountable on said support means andone insert being mounted on the support means;

screw means scuring said insert to said frame member;

spring means connected between said insert and said frame and operativewhen said screw means are loosened to push the insert away from saidframe member;

a top area on said insert;

means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said supply means to receive greasetherefrom;

an annular groove formed in the insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with the annulargroove arid with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the annular groove;

means forming a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to andoutboard of the annular groove to engage and support the cage of abearing assembly; and

a cavity inboard of said annular groove to accept the inner race of abearing assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its bearings to said annulargroove to receive grease therefrom.

8. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sizedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

support means formed in said top area for use in mounting inserts ofdifferent sizes for respectively holding bearing assemblies of differentsizes;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame;

grease supply means including an annular groove formed in said top area;

passageway means connected with said supply groove means and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove means;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of at least part of said supply groove means;

a plurality of inserts alternatively mountable on said support means andone being mounted on the support means;

a top area on said insert;

means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said supply groove means to receivegrease therefrom;

an annular groove formed in the insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with the annulargroove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the annular groove;

a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to and outboard of theannular groove to engage and support the cage ofa bearing assembly; and

a cavitv inboard of said annular groove to accept the inner race of abearing assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its bearings to said annulargroove to receive grease therefrom.

9. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sizedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage comprising:

a frame member including a top area;

support means formed on said top area for use in mounting inserts ofdifferent sizes for respectively holding bearing assemblies of differentsizes;

grease supply means formed in said top area;

a plurality of inserts alternatively mountable on said support means andone being mounted on the support means;

a top area on said insert;

means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said grease supply means to receivegrease therefrom;

an annular groove formed in the insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with the annulargroove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the annular groove;

means forming a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to andoutboard of the annular groove to engage and support the cage of abearing assembly; and

a cavity inboard of said annular groove to accept the inner race of abearing assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its bearings to said annulargroove to receive grease therefrom.

10. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to differentsized roller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the innerrace, the bearings and the cage comprising:

a frame member;

support means formed on said frame for use in mounting inserts ofdifferent sizes for respectively supporting bearing assemblies ofdifferent sizes;

grease supply means formed in said frame member;

a plurality of inserts for use on said frame, one insert being mountedon the support means;

a top area on said insert;

means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said grease supply means to receivegrease therefrom;

an annular groove formed in the insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with the annulargroove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold 10 to the annular groove;

means forming a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to andoutboard of the annular groove to engage and support the cage ofabearing assembly; and

a cavity inboard of said annular groove to accept the inner race of abearing assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its hearings to said annulargroove to receive grease therefrom.

11. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to taperedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage, the equipment comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior to said frame;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly and supportthe assembly for lubrication or alternatively engage and support aninsert for holding a different size assembly;

a cavity inboard of said groove for use in accepting the inner race ofan assembly mounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavityengaging the outerwall of the inner race of such an assembly whereby toposition the assembly laterally and present the bearings of the assemblyto said groove whereby to receive grease therefrom; and mechanism onsaid frame to fixedly hold an assembly mounted on said support surfaceor on said insert.

12. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to bearingassemblies comprising:

means in said one insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said grease supply means to receivegrease therefrom;

an annular groove formed in said one insert top area; a plurality ofpassageways In said one insert connected with the annular groove andwith the insert manifold for conducting grease from the manifold to theannular groove; and

means forming a support surface on said one insert top area adjacent toand outboard of the annular groove to engage and support a bearingassembly for lubrication.

13. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to a bearingassembly, the equipment comprising:

a frame member having a top area;

means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame;

an annular groove formed in said top area;

a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;

means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent and outboardof said groove to engage and support the assembly for lubrication; and

a cavity inboard of said groove to accept the inner race of an assembly,mounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavity engaging theouter wall of the inner race to position the assembly laterally andpresent said bearings to said groove whereby to receive greasetherefrom.

l4. Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to bearingassemblies comprising:

a frame member;

support means formed on said frame for use in mounting inserts;

grease supply means formed in said frame member;

a plurality of inserts for use in lubricating bearing assemblies, oneinsert being mounted on the support means and the other inserts beingalternatively mountable on the support means;

a top area on said one insert;

means in said one insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said grease supply means to receivegrease therefrom;

an annular groove formed in said one insert top area;

a plurality of passageways in said one insert connected with the annulargroove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the annular groove; and

means forming a support surface on said one insert top area adjacent toand outboard of the annular groove to engage and support a bearingassembly, or alternatively to engage and support another insert.

1. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricating grease to taperedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage, the equipment comprising: a frame memberhaving a top area; means in said frame below said top area forming agrease manifold to receive grease from a source exterior to said frame;an annular groove formed in said top area; a plurality of passagewaysconnected with said groove and with said manifold for conducting greasefrom the manifold to the groove; means forming a support surface on saidtop area adjacent to and outboard of said groove to engage the cage ofan assembly and support the assembly for lubrication or alternatively toengage and support an insert for holding a different size assembly; acavity inboard of said groove for use in accepting the inner race of anassembly mounted on the support surface, the wall of the cavity engagingthe outerwall of the inner race of such an assembly whereby to positionthe assembly laterally and present the bearings of the assembly to saidgroove whereby to receive grease therefrom; mechanism on said frame tofixedly hold an assembly mounted on said support surface or on saidinsert; and means on said frame for use in engaging an insert mounted onsaid support surface to position the same laterally.
 2. Means forholding and supplying lubricating grease to different sized taperedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage comprising: a frame member having a top area;means in said frame below said top area forming a grease manifold toreceive grease from a source exterior said frame; an annular grooveformed in said top area; a plurality of passageways connected with saidgroove and with said manifold for conducting grease from the manifold tothe groove; means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent toand outboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly of givensize and support the assembly for lubrication or alternatively tosupport an insert for holding an assembly of different size; a cavityinboard of said groove to accept the inner race of said given sizeassembly mounted on the support surface whereby to position the assemblylaterally to present its bearings to said groove whereby to receivegrease therefrom; an insert mounted on said support surface; screw meanssecuring said insert to said frame member; spring means connectedbetween said insert and said frame and operative when said screw meansare loosened to push the insert away from said frame member; a top areaon said insert; means in said insert below the top area thereof forminga grease manifold in communication with said annular groove to receivegrease therEfrom; an annular groove formed in insert top area; aplurality of passageways in the insert connected with the insert grooveand with the insert manifold for conducting grease from the manifold tothe groove; a support surface on the insert top area adjacent to andoutboard of insert groove to engage the outer cage of a different sizeassembly; and a cavity inboard of said insert groove to accept the innerrace of said different size assembly mounted on the insert supportsurface whereby to position the assembly laterally to present itsbearings to said groove to receive grease therefrom.
 3. Equipment forholding and supplying lubricating grease to tapered roller bearingassemblies, such an assembly including the inner race, the bearings andthe cage, the equipment comprising: a frame member; a plurality ofinsert cavities formed on the top of the frame; a plurality of greasefittings on said frame member; a plurality of passageways respectivelyconnecting said fittings and said cavities; a plurality of bearinginserts respectively disposed in said cavities, the inserts beingconstructed respectively to support different size assemblies; for eachinsert, means for securing the same in its cavity and each insert beingconstructed as follows: a top area; means in the insert below said toparea forming a grease manifold to receive grease from its cavity; anannular groove formed in said top area; a plurality of passagewaysconnected with said groove and with said manifold for conducting greasefrom the manifold to the groove; means forming a support surface on saidtop area adjacent to and outboard said groove to engage the cage of anassembly and support the assembly for lubrication; a cavity inboard ofsaid groove to accept the inner race of an assembly mounted on thesupport surface, the wall of the cavity engaging the outer wall of theinner race to position the assembly laterally to present said bearingsto said groove to receive grease therefrom; and mechanism on said frameto fixedly hold an assembly being lubricated.
 4. A construction inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said insert cavities are disposed in acircular fashion in said frame and said mechanism is located centrallyof the cavities and constructed for selective engagement with assembliesdisposed in the cavities.
 5. A construction in accordance with claim 3wherein said cavities are arranged in a circular fashion and saidmechanism comprises a post located centrally of the cavities andconnected to and extending upwardly to said frame, an arm rotatablymounted on the post and a vertically moveable plate on the armconstructed to engage an assembly mounted on an insert and hold theassembly during the lubricating operation.
 6. Equipment for holding andsupplying lubricating grease to a tapered roller bearing assembly, theassembly including the inner race, the bearings and the cage, theequipment comprising: a frame member having a top area; means in saidframe below said top area forming a grease manifold to receive greasefrom a source exterior said frame; an annular groove formed in said toparea; a plurality of passageways connected with said groove and withsaid manifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove;means forming a support surface on said top area adjacent to andoutboard of said groove to engage the cage of an assembly and supportthe assembly for lubrication; a cavity inboard of said groove to acceptthe inner race of an assembly, mounted on the support surface, the wallof the cavity engaging the outer wall of the inner race to position theassembly laterally and present said bearings to said groove whereby toreceive grease therefrom, said assembly being positioned laterally sothat the outer wall of the inner race extends partially across saidgroove and is operative to direct grease from the groove upwardly intothe bearings; and mechanIsm on said frame to fixedly hold as assemblybeing lubricated.
 7. Means for holding and supplying lubricating greaseto different sized roller assemblies, such an assembly including theinner race, the bearings and the cage comprising: a frame member havinga top area; support means formed on said top area for use in mountinginserts of different sizes for respectively holding bearing assembliesof different sizes; means in said frame below said top area forming agrease manifold to receive grease from a source exterior said frame;grease supply groove formed in said top area; passageway means connectedto said supply groove means and with said manifold for conducting greasefrom the manifold to the groove means; a plurality of insertsalternatively mountable on said support means and one insert beingmounted on the support means; screw means scuring said insert to saidframe member; spring means connected between said insert and said frameand operative when said screw means are loosened to push the insert awayfrom said frame member; a top area on said insert; means in said insertbelow the top area thereof forming a grease manifold in communicationwith said supply means to receive grease therefrom; an annular grooveformed in the insert top area; a plurality of passageways in the insertconnected with the annular groove and with the insert manifold forconducting grease from the manifold to the annular groove; means forminga support surface on the insert top area adjacent to and outboard of theannular groove to engage and support the cage of a bearing assembly; anda cavity inboard of said annular groove to accept the inner race of abearing assembly mounted on the insert support surface whereby toposition the assembly laterally to present its bearings to said annulargroove to receive grease therefrom.
 8. Means for holding and supplyinglubricating grease to different sized roller bearing assemblies, such anassembly including the inner race, the bearings and the cage comprising:a frame member having a top area; support means formed in said top areafor use in mounting inserts of different sizes for respectively holdingbearing assemblies of different sizes; means in said frame below saidtop area forming a grease manifold to receive grease from a sourceexterior said frame; grease supply means including an annular grooveformed in said top area; passageway means connected with said supplygroove means and with said manifold for conducting grease from themanifold to the groove means; means forming a support surface on saidtop area adjacent to and outboard of at least part of said supply groovemeans; a plurality of inserts alternatively mountable on said supportmeans and one being mounted on the support means; a top area on saidinsert; means in said insert below the top area thereof forming a greasemanifold in communication with said supply groove means to receivegrease therefrom; an annular groove formed in the insert top area; aplurality of passageways in the insert connected with the annular grooveand with the insert manifold for conducting grease from the manifold tothe annular groove; a support surface on the insert top area adjacent toand outboard of the annular groove to engage and support the cage of abearing assembly; and a cavity inboard of said annular groove to acceptthe inner race of a bearing assembly mounted on the insert supportsurface whereby to position the assembly laterally to present itsbearings to said annular groove to receive grease therefrom.
 9. Meansfor holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sized rollerbearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race, thebearings and the cage comprising: a frame member including a top area;support means formed on said top area for use in mounting inserts ofdifferent sizes for respectively holdiNg bearing assemblies of differentsizes; grease supply means formed in said top area; a plurality ofinserts alternatively mountable on said support means and one beingmounted on the support means; a top area on said insert; means in saidinsert below the top area thereof forming a grease manifold incommunication with said grease supply means to receive grease therefrom;an annular groove formed in the insert top area; a plurality ofpassageways in the insert connected with the annular groove and with theinsert manifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the annulargroove; means forming a support surface on the insert top area adjacentto and outboard of the annular groove to engage and support the cage ofa bearing assembly; and a cavity inboard of said annular groove toaccept the inner race of a bearing assembly mounted on the insertsupport surface whereby to position the assembly laterally to presentits bearings to said annular groove to receive grease therefrom. 10.Means for holding and supplying lubricating grease to different sizedroller bearing assemblies, such an assembly including the inner race,the bearings and the cage comprising: a frame member; support meansformed on said frame for use in mounting inserts of different sizes forrespectively supporting bearing assemblies of different sizes; greasesupply means formed in said frame member; a plurality of inserts for useon said frame, one insert being mounted on the support means; a top areaon said insert; means in said insert below the top area thereof forminga grease manifold in communication with said grease supply means toreceive grease therefrom; an annular groove formed in the insert toparea; a plurality of passageways in the insert connected with theannular groove and with the insert manifold for conducting grease fromthe manifold to the annular groove; means forming a support surface onthe insert top area adjacent to and outboard of the annular groove toengage and support the cage of a bearing assembly; and a cavity inboardof said annular groove to accept the inner race of a bearing assemblymounted on the insert support surface whereby to position the assemblylaterally to present its bearings to said annular groove to receivegrease therefrom.
 11. Equipment for holding and supplying lubricatinggrease to tapered roller bearing assemblies, such an assembly includingthe inner race, the bearings and the cage, the equipment comprising: aframe member having a top area; means in said frame below said top areaforming a grease manifold to receive grease from a source exterior tosaid frame; an annular groove formed in said top area; a plurality ofpassageways connected with said groove and with said manifold forconducting grease from the manifold to the groove; means forming asupport surface on said top area adjacent to and outboard of said grooveto engage the cage of an assembly and support the assembly forlubrication or alternatively engage and support an insert for holding adifferent size assembly; a cavity inboard of said groove for use inaccepting the inner race of an assembly mounted on the support surface,the wall of the cavity engaging the outerwall of the inner race of suchan assembly whereby to position the assembly laterally and present thebearings of the assembly to said groove whereby to receive greasetherefrom; and mechanism on said frame to fixedly hold an assemblymounted on said support surface or on said insert.
 12. Means for holdingand supplying lubricating grease to bearing assemblies comprising: aframe member; support means formed on said frame for use in mountinginserts of different sizes for respectively supporting bearingassemblies of different sizes; grease supply means formed in said framemember; a plurality of inserts for use on said frame, one insert beingmounted on the Support means and the other inserts being alternativelymountable on the support means; a top area on said one insert; means insaid one insert below the top area thereof forming a grease manifold incommunication with said grease supply means to receive grease therefrom;an annular groove formed in said one insert top area; a plurality ofpassageways in said one insert connected with the annular groove andwith the insert manifold for conducting grease from the manifold to theannular groove; and means forming a support surface on said one inserttop area adjacent to and outboard of the annular groove to engage andsupport a bearing assembly for lubrication.
 13. Equipment for holdingand supplying lubricating grease to a bearing assembly, the equipmentcomprising: a frame member having a top area; means in said frame belowsaid top area forming a grease manifold to receive grease from a sourceexterior said frame; an annular groove formed in said top area; aplurality of passageways connected with said groove and with saidmanifold for conducting grease from the manifold to the groove; meansforming a support surface on said top area adjacent and outboard of saidgroove to engage and support the assembly for lubrication; and a cavityinboard of said groove to accept the inner race of an assembly, mountedon the support surface, the wall of the cavity engaging the outer wallof the inner race to position the assembly laterally and present saidbearings to said groove whereby to receive grease therefrom.
 14. Meansfor holding and supplying lubricating grease to bearing assembliescomprising: a frame member; support means formed on said frame for usein mounting inserts; grease supply means formed in said frame member; aplurality of inserts for use in lubricating bearing assemblies, oneinsert being mounted on the support means and the other inserts beingalternatively mountable on the support means; a top area on said oneinsert; means in said one insert below the top area thereof forming agrease manifold in communication with said grease supply means toreceive grease therefrom; an annular groove formed in said one inserttop area; a plurality of passageways in said one insert connected withthe annular groove and with the insert manifold for conducting greasefrom the manifold to the annular groove; and means forming a supportsurface on said one insert top area adjacent to and outboard of theannular groove to engage and support a bearing assembly, oralternatively to engage and support another insert.